Time for a new Motor

[reamest]

So my Expy has just shy of 262k on the motor. The timing chain tensioners have developed the notorious leak, so my cold starts sound pretty bad until oil pressure builds up. Has anyone swapped motors? I want to do this as cost effectively as possible. I could buy a junkyard motor for a couple grand, but then I wouldn't know the history of that motor. I could buy a reman for about 5k which is probably worth more than my truck itself. From my research, it seems as though I can only use a 07-08 motor... Is that correct?

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[JExpedition07]

You can use an 07-08 engine correct. PowerSource is a reputable company and has remans for about $3,500. They ship you the new engine, you ship them back your old engine. Yea at that mileage it’s tough decide whether or not to dump timjng job money into an engine on its way to 300k.

 

[762mm]

Word is that with proper maintenance (regular oil changes) and a new timing kit + Melling high volume oil pump, these engines can easily do over 400k miles.

I'd go watch Makuloco on how to do the timing job myself (4 part series on YouTube), source all the parts on Amazon / Rockauto and just git 'er done over the weekend!

(unless of course the engine has other problems and requires new heads, bearings, etc.)




Tip: if you want to reduce the chain slap at startup, give the engine some gas and raise the RPM (1500-2000) right before shutting it down. Sometimes it can help....

 

[JExpedition07]

Keep in mind if you have no knocking or loud dieseling from the left side head or camphasers you still have adequate oil pressure to the heads (for now). So long as the oil pump stays in shape. Mine has the startup rattle and I’m doing the timing job in spring. Oil pressure is good off the pump but the tensioners bleed some off up top.

 

[jeff kushner]

I'm not sure there is no math equation that can justify spending real money on a 262K engine. Too many miles to even estimate remaining use.

Swapping is relatively easy BUT every single other assembly will still have 262K on it...brakes, hubs, differentials, tranny......

my math says different truck................but I"m a firm believer in YOU doing what YOU want...it's your truck bud, good luck wither way!


jeff

 

[JExpedition07]

Looks like a pretty clean truck, no reason to trash a perfectly fine vehicle imo just because of miles.

 

[762mm]

Keep in mind if you have no knocking or loud dieseling from the left side head or camphasers you still have adequate oil pressure to the heads (for now). So long as the oil pump stays in shape. Mine has the startup rattle and I’m doing the timing job in spring. Oil pressure is good off the pump but the tensioners bleed some off up top.

As per Makuloco and Ford's own recommendations I've been reading about, a cam phaser knock at idle while the engine is hot is acceptable. It can be a bit annoying, but won't hurt anything. It's basically a pin in the cam phaser that's eroded a bigger groove and resonates through the engine block like a regular "ticking" sound. Mine does it at 132k miles on passenger side.

A knock coming from the valve cover is the one you need to worry about: it means at least one of the 12 rocker arms (or rocker-followers) is shot and will damage the camshaft if you don't get it fixed asap. It typically happens on the passenger side of engine due to lack of lubrication. Luckily, it's not too bad of a job (with the right rocker arm tool and valve cover off).

I plan to preventively change all 12 of them on the passenger side when I install new chain tensioners, guides and Melling HV oil pump next spring / summer! Probably a new OEM cam phaser too, while I'm in there. Call me nuts, but I can hardly wait to get at it! (too damn cold outside to work on the driveway these days, lol)

 

[bobmbx]

As per Makuloco and Ford's own recommendations I've been reading about, a cam phaser knock at idle while the engine is hot is acceptable. It can be a bit annoying, but won't hurt anything. It's basically a pin in the cam phaser that's eroded a bigger groove and resonates through the engine block like a regular "ticking" sound. Mine does it at 132k miles on passenger side.

A knock coming from the valve cover is the one you need to worry about: it means at least one of the 12 rocker arms (or rocker-followers) is shot and will damage the camshaft if you don't get it fixed asap. It typically happens on the passenger side of engine due to lack of lubrication. Luckily, it's not too bad of a job (with the right rocker arm tool and valve cover off).

I plan to preventively change all 12 of them on the passenger side when I install new chain tensioners, guides and Melling HV oil pump next spring / summer! Probably a new OEM cam phaser too, while I'm in there. Call me nuts, but I can hardly wait to get at it! (too damn cold outside to work on the driveway these days, lol)

I had that done on my '08 4.6L in a Mountaineer. Here's how its done on a 5.4:

 

[TobyU]

I hope you have already switched to 5w-30 oil. I would even go with a 5w-40 rotella or mobil 1.

 

[762mm]

I had that done on my '08 4.6L in a Mountaineer. Here's how its done on a 5.4

Awesome.

How was the job overall? Reasonably easy or a royal pain in the ass due to clearances, etc? It looks easy in Makuloco's videos, but the guy wrenches on this stuff day in and day out, so that's no real reference...